Combined application of calcium carbonate and NPKS fertilizer improves early-stage growth of poplar in acid soils

The cultivation of Populus spp. on acid soils is difficult mainly due to low nutrient availability, limiting the distribution and use of this marketable tree species. In this paper we report the results of two experiments, in which a granulated highly reactive micronized calcium carbonate (CaCO) was tested at increasing levels to improve the effect of NPKS fertilization on poplar growth. Twin field and pot experiments were carried out in 2017 using two different poplar clones, both of which are often used in Italy. In addition to analysing the data from the two experiments separately, common patterns were evaluated using a mixed-effect model with CaCO level and fertilization as fixed effects, and the experiment type as random effect. Growth was assessed in terms of total height, diameter and biomass. Taken together, the results from the two experiments showed that fertilization led to enhanced growth of poplar, but this effect was stronger when soil conditions in terms of pH and exchangeable Ca were at a sufficiently high level. Available nutrient concentrations in the soil and foliar nutrient concentrations in the plant suggested co-limitation of poplar growth by N and Ca. In conclusion, the results of this study on one hand emphasize the importance of adapting the level of CaCO to the given soil conditions, and on the other hand ask for further studies addressing the relative importance of elevated pH and improved Ca nutrition.